UK 
United States
A teenager has spoken out on Twitter after he was denied a job interview with a home décor store due to his disability.
19-year-old Chad Lowery from Chesterfield County arrived for his interview at the store, however, was turned away when the manager learned he has cerebral palsy, reported Yahoo News.
On Twitter Lowery didn’t identify the name of the company, keeping them anonymous, but revealed that the manager told him that they ‘don’t hire people with disabilities’.
He wrote: “Today I was supposed to have a job interview at a store. I want to keep the company anonymous so let’s make up a name like Tuesday Morning in a place called, idk, Hancock Village. I went into the store and said I’m here for an interview.
“They went to get the manager and she approached me and said: “I’m sorry, we don’t hire people with disabilities.” I tried to negotiate with her and she stood firm with her statement.
"I’ve never been so insulted in my whole life. Please retweet this to let people know discrimination still exists and it’s unacceptable.”
The anonymous company’s decision to decline Lowery’s interview demonstrates a clear discrimination against his disability cerebral palsy, which can affect coordination, hearing, speaking, vision and muscle growth.
A spokesperson for the company said in a statement to Virginia station WTVR: “Tuesday Morning is committed to the principles of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees. And, we believe that every experience at Tuesday Morning should be a positive one.
“With respect to this matter, we are working expeditiously and thoroughly to assess the nature of Mr. Lowery’s interaction with our Chesterfield store, and will take corrective action (as needed) based on the outcome of this process.”
Since his post on Twitter, Lowery has received 416 retweets as he aims to raise more awareness of discrimination in the workplace, despite the home décor store purporting to offer ‘equal employment opportunities’.
Under the Equality Act 2010, it states that it is unlawful to discriminate against employees (including workers) because of a mental or physical disability. To ensure recruiters and hiring managers do not discriminate a candidate based on their disability, they should ensure they have rules in place to prevent discrimination through a recruitment selection, sickness absence, promotion, dismissal and trading and development.
